In a recent interview with ‘Glamour Magazine’, singer Rihanna discusses several issues in her life including domestic violence, her style and her upcoming album, ‘Rated R’. The starlet will be honored by ‘Glamour’ with the title of ‘Glamour Woman of the Year’ next week at a ceremony in New York City. Peep excerpts from the interview below:
On the leaked photo of her battered face:
It was humiliating; that is not a photo you would show to anybody. I felt completely taken advantage of. I felt like people were making it into a fun topic on the Internet, and it’s my life. I was disappointed, especially when I found out the photo was [supposedly leaked by] two women.
On the aftermath:
It has taught me so much. I felt like I went to sleep as Rihanna and woke up as Britney Spears. That was the level of media chaos that happened the next day. It was like, What, there are helicopters circling my house? There are 100 people in my cul-de-sac? What do you mean, I can’t go back home?My friends and family have been extremely supportive, and everyone has been there for me. But at some point you are there alone. It’s a lonely place to be—no one can understand. That’s when you get close to God.
On domestic violence:
Domestic violence is a big secret. No kid goes around and lets people know their parents fight. Teenage girls can’t tell their parents that their boyfriend beat them up. You don’t dare let your neighbor know that you fight. It’s one of the things we [women] will hide, because it’s embarrassing. My story was broadcast all over the world for people to see, and they have followed every step of my recovery. The positive thing that has come out of my situation is that people can learn from that. I want to give as much insight as I can to young women, because I feel like I represent a voice that really isn’t heard. Now I can help speak for those women.
On her image change:
In the first two years of my career, there were a lot of restraints on what I could do. I couldn’t wear certain colors of lipstick, like bright pink, dark pink or red; [my lips] had to be natural. Eventually, I stopped communicating with certain people at the label, and did exactly what I wanted to do. And that was to cut my hair, dye it black, change my clothes, change my sound. Really to just express myself.
On her new album ‘Rated R’:
I was involved in a lot of the writing. I put everything I’ve wanted to say for the past eight months into my music. The songs are really personal. It’s rock ‘n’ roll, but it’s really hip-hop: If Lil’ Wayne and Kings of Leon like my album, then I’ll feel good. I would not change anything about it. Even if people don’t love it, I made exactly the piece of art that I wanted to make. It’s super fearless—which is exactly how I feel right now. I am in a really good place.
I have grown up a lot since my last album. It [represents] exactly where I am at right now.
It’s encouraging to see that she is brave enough to discuss the occurrences of the recent months with such honesty and integrity without sounding bitter. I am quite thankful that she kept her life on track. I gained more respect for after reading this and understand her a lot more as a person.
Tidbit: Does anyone else think that her comments about becoming Britney Spears could also apply to her music as well? Just a thought…